Button-hole attachment for sewing-machines



(Model.)

' l Y 4-Sheetsf-Shv'eet 2.

W. SG.H0TT. YBUTTON HOLE ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES.

NQ. 292,591, Patented aan; 29, 1884.

NUI Num INVENTOR BY/MJ a ATTQRNgY.

p N4 PCIERS. mwumognpmn wadxingnm. DAC.

(Model.) f 4 sheets-smet '3.

A W. SCHOTT. .BUTTON Hol-.B ATTACHMENT-P03 SEWING MACHINES.' No. 292,591.

'Patented Jan. 29, 1884 ATTORNEY (Modem` A ineens-s118654.

` SCHOTT.

BUTTON HOLE ATTAGH'MBNT'POR SEWING MACHINES. No. 292,591. l 4Penizrfcl'dil?an.29;11818'4.

l l 'UNiTI-:n STATES,

FATENT Ottica. y'

WILLIAM sOI-IOTT, or NEW YORK, N. Y., AssIGNOR, BY MEsNE AssIeN- MENTS, TO THE SCHOTT SAME PLACE.

BUTTON HOLE ATTACHMENT COMPANY, OF

suTTONfH-OLE ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

SPEGEFXCATION' forming part of Letters Patent No. 292,591, dated January 29, 1884.

. I Application filed June 2l, 1983. (Model.)

To @ZZ LU/b/)ln/ il; may col/warn,.- p

Be it known that I, v-WILLIAM SCHOTT, a citizen of the United Statesof North America, and a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new-and useful Improvement in Button-Hole Attachments for Sewing-lvachines, of .which thefollowing is a specification. v

The object of this invention is to furnish a button-hole attachment for sewing-machines, adapted to be applied tomost of the sewingmachines now in use without material alteration in them, and designed for stitching button-holes or eyelets. l

lThe invention consists of certain mechanisms adapted to be connected with the head of a sewing-machine, to bensed in connection therewith, the said mechanism embracing a form -plate of peculiar design rigidly v/iiXed upon a removable cloth-clamp; devices for regulating'tlie length and adjusting the bite of the stitches, and accelerating the movement or the form-plate on turning.` and other novel devices for adapting the attachment tothe work for which it is designed, all ofwhich will be hereinafter fully set forth. g

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in sec- V tion, of my improved button-hole attachment to sewing-machines in position. Fig. 2 'is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan of the clothi clamp, with .the button-hole form-plate detached and the cloth-,stretcher in position.

Figli is a cross-section of the same on line y y, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 isa partly-sectional plan of my improved needle-bar clamp. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the button-hole attachment. Fig. 7 is an enlarged' plan, partly in section, of the slotted bell-cranklever, springpawl, and ratchet for transmittingmotion from the needle-bar lever. Fig. 8; is an enlarged side elevation of the same.l Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan of the ratchet. Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional elevation, in reverse, of the main cogwheel, its axle, andcertain co-operating parts, and portion of their supporting-standard. Fig.

i. lever.

end elevation of thsame.

11 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the adjusting clamping device, connecting the needle-bar lever with the ratchet or bell-crank Figs. 12 and 13 are details of the same. Fig. 14 is an enlarged partly-sectional side elevation, showing a portion of the main cogwheel, the worin, and the intermediate pinions in position. Fig. 15 is an enlarged sectional plan of the same in position, with the main cog-wheel removed. Fig. 16 is an enlarged plan of the button-hole form-plate. Fig. 17

is an enlarged side elevation of the same. Fig. 18 is an enlarged side elevation of the carrierplate. Fig. 19 is an enlarged partly-sectional larged plan of the same. Fig. 21 is a rear elevation of the reciprocating mechanism attached tothe reciprocating foot. Figs. 22 and 23 are side elevations of parts ofthe reciprocating mechanismin various positions. Figs. 24, 25, and26 are details ofthe same, Fig. 24 being inreverse. Figs. 27 and 2S show further details. Figs. 29 and 30 show the needle-bar lever, stud, and cross-head. Figs. 31 and 32 are plan and sectional elevation, respectively, of the throat-plate especially adapted to this improvement. Fig. 33 is a plan of the reciprocating foot. showing the attachment in position.

In .the drawings, A represents the head of asewing-machine; B, the presser-foot bar, and B the lever thereof, by which it is elevated and depressed.V v

The carrier-plate C has one side or edge turned up at right angles, as shown at C, and on the forward end of this side C is secured, by screw a, a lug or sleeve, C". The lower eX- tremity of the presser-foot bar B being entered into this sleeve C2, a turn of the-thumbsorew a secures the carrier-plate C thereon, so that said plate and its attachments may be elevated-and depressed with it.

A horizontal rigid clamp, D, is firmly se- Fig. 20 is an en.

Fig. 34 is a perspective-view,

cured to the presser-foot bar B, a little above its center, by a thumb-screw, Z), and inthe vother end of said clamp D is inserted and rier-plate C. By these means all lateral nio tion of the ca1rierplate C and its attachments is prevented.

Fixed upon the reciprocating foot O is a standard, E, and on a horizontal axle, E, extending outward therefrom, and composed of screw c and nut c', are set so as to move freely thereon the main cog-wheel F, the ratchet F, and motioli-transmitting bell-crank lever F2, the ratchet F having studs d, that project from its inner face and enter into the opposingface ot' the cog-wheel F, whereby motion given to the former is imparted lo the latter.

On the inner face ofthe bell-crank lever F2 is pivoted a pawl, f, that is held by a spring,

f, also secured by a screw, f2, upon the lever F2, engaged with the teeth of the ratchet F, so that said ratchet F and cog-wheel F are togetherpartly turned or revolved at eachupward reciprocation of the lever F2.

Journaled in the standards E FF of the rcciprocating foot 0 is a horizontal axle, g, carrying, iirmly tixed thereon, a worm, G, and pinion G, said worm G being designed to gear with the button-hole form-plate,to give motion thereto, also journaled in the standards E E2 is a shaft, 71, having firmly iixed thereon pinions H H, the latter being held in place on the outside of the standard E by a screw, 7i', as shown. The pinion H gears with the piniou G and the pinion IIwith the main cog- -wheel F, so that the motion ot' the latter is transmitted to the worm G.

The slotted end ot' the transmitting bellcrank lever F projects rearward, and is connected or coupled with the needle-bar lever I by means ot a clamping device, I', that passes through the slot fi ot' the lever F2 and the eentral slot, t, ofthe lever I. This clamping de- "ice I consists ot' an internally-screwthreaded sleeve, 7:, having on one end an annular flange, 7.", while the other end is secured by pin 7.7 in a thumb-nut, 7.1, and ot' a screw, 7a, having a shoulder, 7"", provided with two tlat sides. The sleeve 7.: is entered from the right or insidethrough the slot i ofthe lever I. The nut It" is then secured on the outer end of the said sleeve 7.-, and the screw lr* is passed through the slot/i of the lever F2, so that the screw-shoulder 7.1". shall engage in the slot t of the lever Fz and prevent the turning of the device I therein; then, when the sleeve 7a is tuined up tight, the bellcrank lever F2 is iirmly grasped between the head ot' the screw 7.1* and the iiange 7.".

The needle-bar lever I, that is pivoted on a standard, l, fixed on the carrier-plate C, has a forked forward end, as shown at Z, and in this fork Z is engaged the horizontally-projectiiig stud m ot' the needle-bar clamp K,where by the motion ot' the needlebar K is transmitted to the said lever I. This need1e-bar clamp II is the ordinary clamp with a stud screwed into it in line with its set-screw. I

Ou the front end of the reciprocating foot O is soldered or otherwise rigidly secured alforward-projecting fork, L, on the free extremity ot' which is iixed, about the split of the fork, a depending nearly-circular lip, L', open at the front, that is designed to hold the forml plate M in operative position and engaged with the worm G, and at the same time to serve as the pivot about which said plate )I turns. The button-hole form-plate M has a central opcning, a, and its beveled upper outer edges are toothed, as shown at n', to correspond to the threads ofthe worm G. Preferably,said formplate M is iirml y soldered or otherwise secured upon the upper face of the cloth-clamp N, over the longitudinal opening if therein, to -insure the synchronous movements of the two when the device is in operation.

The cloth-clamp N is constructed of two flat rectangular pieces ot' metal hinged together at one end, as shown at if.

A flexible cloth-stretcher, N', consisting of a rod or bar ot' spring-steel or other metal, bent at the center, so that the legs are parallel and a little apart from each other, is designed to be soldered or otherwise secured on the npper side ofj the cloth-clan'lp N, beneath the form-plate BL and with its legs lying against the opposite sides of the slot or opening a of the clamps. The lower surfaces ot' the legs ot' this stretcher N have short pins or teeth a", projecting downward,for engagement with the cloth to be operated upon; and formed in the upper face ot' the clamp N are two opposite recesses, u, for the convenience ot' the operator when desiring to compress the free ends ofthe stretcher N.

W' hen the device is to be worked, the cloth is placed in the cloth-clamp N, and then the stretcher IY is compressed, or its legs approached to each other by the operator, and when in this position the clamp N is closed, with the effect of forcing the lpins n" into the cloth, so that on the release ofthe said stretcherflegs they spring apart and stretch and hold that portion of the cloth which is between them to the tension best adapted forthc stitching of a button-hole therein.

The reciprocating foot O is a tlat rectangular plate ot' metal with beveled side edges, that is designed to beheld in place and moved in the groove cs ofthe carrier-plate C. From the rear end of this foot 0 a post, O, rises vertically through the slot c" of the plate C, and on the face ot' this post O is pivoted a T- shaped shifting-dog, P, whose uppcrextremitics are provided with lugs p p', respectively, and whose tail extends downward.

The oscillating trame Q is composed ot' two C-shapcd sections, Q (j, respectively, hinged together at the bottom,with their concavities opposing, by a screw-Q3', which also pivots said frame to the post O of the foot O. Each section is provided with a horizontally-projecting stud, q q, respectively, which are dcsigned to extend inward on either side ofthe tail ofthe dog I). rIhrough the top of the section q is inserted a set-screw, q, whose end or point is engaged in the top of the section g', so that on turning said screw q the frame IOC IIO

for adjusting, shortening, or lengthening the throw of the plate O, and thereby shortening or lengthening at will the bite ot' the stitches, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

From the extreme rear end of the necdlebar lever I there projects inward a stud/R,

having on its free end a vcross-head, r, which extends through the oscillating frame Q, with its cross-head near the face of the dog P.

The parts being in the position shown in Fig. l, if, now, the needle-bar K be raised, it has the effect of elevating the forward end of the lever I and'depressing the rear end thereof. The stud R is then consequently forced down the inclined plane s of the oscillating frame Q with the effect of throwing or moving the foot of said frame Q and the reciproeating foot O forward, as indicated in full lines, Fig. 28, the desired length of a stitch. Then the downward movement of the needlebar K depresses the forward end of the lever I'and elevates the rear end thereof, and as this rear end rises the left-hand end of the crosshead r of the stud R is brought into contact with the lugp of the dog P, causing the head of said dog P to swing to the left when the frame Q is swung to the right, and vice versa. The tail p2, coming in contact with the frame Q- and pressing laterally therea-gainst, cants the frame Q rearward, as shown in dotted lines Fig. 23. Then the upward movement of the needle-bar K again depresses the'rear end of the lever I, whereby the stud R is forced down in contact with the inclined 'plane s of the oscillating frame Q, with the effect of reciprocating the foot O rearward the length of a stitch, as shown in full lines, Fig. 22. The

next downward movement of the needle-bar y K elevates t-he rear end of the lever I, with the effect of' bringing the right-hand end of the crosshead r in contact with the lug p of the dog P, thereby swinging said dog to `the right, so that its tail is brought in contact with the stud Q5 of the frame Q, to e'cant said frame forward, as indicated 'in dotted lines, Fig'. 22. On the next upward movement of the needle-bar K, therear end of the lever I is depressed,and the studR is thereby forced down in contact with the inclined plane s of the frame Q, with the effect of reciprocating the foot O forward the length of a stitch, and in this mannerv by arepetition of these movements, the foot'O 'is made to reciprocate at each upward motion of the needle-bar. The inclined planes s s of the oscillating frame Q slope in opposite directions to each other from above downward, their perpendicular backs being normally in contact, and the said planes being normally separate or apart from each other the length of an ordinary button-hole stitch; hence, when these planes s s are separated still farther, by the turning of the -screw QG, which expands the frame'Q along the line that divides them, the downward movements of the stud It in contact with them must cause or create a longer throw or reciprocation of 'the slot in the leve;1 F2.l

the foot O and its attachments, and from this extreme the throw can be shortened by turning screw Q6 in an opposite direction, thus -bringing the planes s s nearer to each other.

By means of the clamping device I, which connects the levers F2 I,-the speed of Vthe worm G, and thereby the speed of which the formplate M moves, can be regulated, and thereby the distance between the stitches.

If, while the device is in operation, it is desired to decrease the speed of the worm G, and thereby themotion of t-he form-plate M, the operator takes hold of the clamping device I4 and moves it rearward along the slots of the levers F2 I until it reaches the rear end of the slot of the said lever F2; then he turns the nut k3 tight, so as to firmly grasp the lever F2 at its free end farthestfromits fulcrum or axle; hence on its further movement said lever and its pawlf will describe a smaller arcof a circle, move over fewerteeth of the ratchet F at each reciprocation, and consequently turn said ratchet F', and worm G, and intermediate cog-wheel and pinions througha shorter distance.

If it be desired to increase the speed of the worm G and form-plate M to their full extent,

so that the stitches may be made farther apart, the `operator moves the `clamping device I forward and clamps it at the forward end of The movements of this'worm and form-plate are ordinarily th'us accelerated on the turning of the latter when the end or ends'of a button-hole are being stitched, so that the .stitches may not be crowdedtoo closely together and retarded when the sides of the button-'hole are being stitched;

To apply this device to a sewing-machine, the ordinary needle-clamp, Apresser-foot, and

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throat-plate are first removed, and then the operator moves the presser-bar lever B', and thereby raises the presser-foot bar B, when the deviceisfxed in place, as set forth. The throat-.plate T, which from its form is es- ,pecially adapted to this improved attachment,

as it forms a broad -`bearing for the. clamp N, is substituted for the ordina-ry throat-plate of the machine, and the improved needlevclamp for the ordinary one, and the material to be operated upon is placed over the throat-plate in the usual manner. The presser-bar lever B is operated to force the presser-foot barB down, whereby the reciprocating foot O is suitably set upon the work. The needle V being fixed in place and threaded., and the device being in position,thesewing-machineis set in operation in the usual manner,and,through the mechanisms liereinbefore described, the form-plate and cloth-clamp carrying the material to be operated on are together moved, revolved, and reciprocated beneath the needle as the latter reciprocates up and down in making vthe stitches.

I deem the worm tion shown.

G' important in the rela- Where cog-gearing is employed,

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the weight of the cloth hanging downupon one side of the machine is liable to move the gear; but the worm will eiicctually resist all such tendency.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. ,A buttoirhole attachment. to sewing-nia A chinos, containing the following elements: a iixed carrier-plate i'or supporting a reciprocatingfoot; a. reciprocating foot supporting the mechanism for moving the button-hole forinplate and cloth-clamp; a device for reciprocating the reciprocating foot and regulating the bite ot' the stitches, comprising an adjustable oscillating frame and a dog connected with the reciprocating foot; a lever having a terminal crosshead operated by the needle-barand operating the oscillating frame; a clamping device ioradjustingorregulatingthedistancebetween the stitches; a combined cloth-clamp and button-hole fornrplate; a worm for transmitting motion to the same; means, substantially as described, forcommunicating motion from the needle-bar lever to said worm, and a clothstrcteher, all combined and operating as herein shown and described.

2. In a button'hole attachment to a sewingmachine, the combination, with the reciprocating foot and the lever operated by the needlc-bar, of an oscillating frame provided with oppositcly-inclined planes, a dog pivoted on a standard that is rigidly iixed on the reciprofating foot, means, substantially as described, for connecting said lever and dog and said dog and frame, all arranged and operated substantially as herein shown and described, whereby said footis reciproeated, as set forth.

3. In a button-hole attachment toa sewingmachine, as a means for transmitting motion from the lever operated by the needle-bar to the reciprocating i'oot, for reciprocating the latter and regulating the bite ofthe stitches, an adjustable oscillating frame consisting ot two sections hinged together, and provided with two vertical oppositely-inclined planes andan adjustingserew, and pivoted on the rigid reciprocating foot-post, a pivoted dog. and means for communicating motion i'rom the said dog to the said two-part frame Q, substantially as herein shown and described.

4. In abutton-hole attachment toa sewingmachine, the combination, with the reciprocating foot O, post O', dog I), having lugs pp, lever I, provided with crossheaded stud R, having cross-head r, and hinged sectional oscillatiug frame Q, having` inclines s sf, ofthe screw g", substantially as herein shown and described, whereby said irame may be contracted or expanded, its inclined planes ad# j usted relatively to each other, and the-length ofthe reciprocation ot' the foot O and consequent bite ofthe stitches be adjusted or controlled, asset forth.

5. In a button-hole attachment to a sewing machine, provided with a reciprocating foot anda iornrplate, as a means for turning the fornrplate, the combination, with said formplatc and a cloth-clamp, of a worm supported on the reciprocating footv,and actuated by suitable mechanism connected with said worm, substantially as herein shown and described.

6. In a button-hole attachment to a sewingmachine, ot' the character herein described, the combination, with the lever I, operated by the needle-bar7 and pivoted upon the earrier-platc C, and the lever F, operating through suitable mechanism to revolve the fornrplate, of an adjustable clamping device connecting the two levers, and adapted to transmit the motion of the one to the other, substantially as herein shown and described.

7. In a button-hole attachment to a sewingmaehine, provided with a cloth-clamp, an elastic spring cloth-stretcher provided with downward projecting pins, substantially as herein shown and described, said stretcher being attached to said clamp, and adapte! to be compressed and to return to its normal position, as and ior thc purposes set forth.

S. The combination, with the grooved carrier-plate C, and reciprocating foot O, ani con neeted mechanism for transmitting motion from the needle-bar-operated lever I to the form-plate M, ot' the lever I, supported by the carrier-plate, lever-stud 1R, provided with cross-head fr, sectional oscillating frame Q, provided with studs q qi, screws Q.' q, pivoted dog I), provided with lugs pp', and post O', substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the said foot O may be reci procated and its length ot' throw adjusted, as set forth.

9. In a button-hole attachment to a sewingmachine, as a means i'or determining the throw of the ratchetlever F2, and the consequent rapidity ol' the movements ofthe worm G, and ofthe mechanism i'or transmitting motion from the said lever to the worm and thereby dcterminingthe rate ot' movement of the tormplate M and cloth-clamp N, and consequently the distance between the stitches, the combination, with the lever I, havingslot li, and ratchet-lever I, having slot i', of the clamping device l, the sleeve 7c, and screwk, having shoulder if' with two ilat sides, constructed and operated substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of two witnesses, this 15th day of June, 1883.

Jaron J. S'ronnn, ALBERT I.- Moniixn'rr.

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